How to prevent a dog from barking at the television

Dear Cathy: Every time there’s a commercial on television with dogs or animals in it, my Westie barks at it.

I have tried using the leash when she barks and sitting her next to me. While she is on the leash, she behaves. But the minute I release her and there’s a commercial with animals in it, she is barking again.

I have given her treats when she’s on the leash and there’s a commercial with animals in it and she doesn’t bark. But the day after, she is barking again.

How do I stop her from barking at dogs on TV? —

Mirna, Eatonton, Georgia

Dear Mirna: Commercials and TV shows with barking dogs and doorbells tend to set off our canine friends. It’s not always easy to train a dog to never bark. After all, dogs have been bred for centuries to alert us. However, there are a few ways you can train your dog to stop barking once she starts.

Begin with your dog on the leash, as that has already yielded some success for you. When your dog barks, say “ssshh” — a short, staccato sound. Most dogs react to this immediately and stop barking, at least momentarily.

At that moment, use a clicker or a reward word like “bingo” to let her know she did something right, then give the dog a treat.

If your dog doesn’t react to this sound, then buy a Pet Corrector, which you can find online. It makes the same sort of sound but at a different velocity and pitch, which might work better for your dog. Be very consistent with the training, and she should begin to understand your request over time.

Another option is to thank her for alerting you. This doesn’t work with all dogs, but when my dog barks to alert me to the doorbell, I sometimes say, “Thank you, Buster.” He usually stops barking because I have acknowledged his alert. It sounds strange, but I have seen it work for some dogs.

Also, look for ways to keep your dog busy while you are watching television. Introduce some puzzle toys or chew toys to keep her preoccupied and less likely to engage with the dogs on television.

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